Abstract: A water supply monitoring system in connection with a supply line includes a fluid sensor configured to identify flow rate data identifying a flow rate of water through the supply line. A controller is configured to receive the flow rate data from the fluid sensor and compare the flow rate data over time to a plurality of flow rate models. The flow rate models define flow rate characteristics of a plurality of preconfigured water implements. The controller is further configured to classify a water consumption identified by the flow rate data as being consumed by a plurality of consumption implements in connection with the supply line in a plurality of consumption classifications.

Abstract: A pipe brace assembly includes a main clamp body that can be secured to a brace pipe. A cable, or other flexible tensioning member, can be wrapped around a braced pipe and secured to the main clamp body. The pipe brace assembly includes a method or mechanism for tensioning the cable or flexible tensioning member around the braced pipe. In some embodiments, the tensioning method or mechanism involves moving, such as rotating, the main clamp body to tension the cable or tensioning member. The clamping of the main clamp body and tensioning of the cable or tensioning member can occur simultaneously.

Abstract: A beam clamp for mounting to a flange of a beam or other support, having a main body and a set screw. The main body has an end wall, a first side wall and a second side wall. The first and second side walls each define a slot having an open end and a closed end. The end wall, the first side wall and the second side wall of the main body are formed by a unitary piece of material having a wall thickness. The main body further includes a first protrusion and a second protrusion that extend unitarily from the end wall. A first threaded opening and a second threaded opening pass through the end wall and a respective one of the first and second threaded openings such that each of the first threaded opening and the second threaded opening define a thread length that is greater than the wall thickness.

Abstract: A sway brace attachment for firmly connecting to a beam and other flanged structures, and a method for manufacturing the sway brace attachment. The sway brace attachment includes a main body and an insert that is captured within the main body by a pair of set screws which also engage the flange. Preferably, a third set screw is supported by the main body and engages the opposite side of the flange from the pair of set screws. The main body can be generally rectangular in shape, with a top wall, a pair of side walls extending from the top wall and a pair of bottom walls, which extend inwardly from respective side walls in an overlapping relationship. The sway brace attachment can be used for bracing pipes and other loads, suspended below ceilings and floors, against sway and seismic disturbances.

Abstract: There is provided a method for preparing a plumbing manifold for use in a water system in which the manifold after molding is subjected to cross-linking high energy radiation. The manifold is made by polyethylene or a metallocene polyethylene.

Abstract: A seismic bracing assembly has a first subassembly and a second subassembly that are connected by a sleeve. The first subassembly has a structural yoke used to secure the first subassembly to a structural member. The second subassembly has another yoke used to secure the second subassembly to an anchoring member. The first and second subassembly have a sufficient length to allow rough in assembly of the two subassemblies with the sleeve that couples them together.

Abstract: An offset hanger has a central retainer portion, a first leg and a second leg. The central retainer portion defines a segment of a generally cylindrical shape. A center axis is defined along the center of the generally cylindrical shape. A first pair of gussets extends from the central retainer portion to the first leg. A second pair of gussets extends from the central retainer portion to the second leg. Each pair of gussets comprises at least two gussets that are spaced apart in the axial direction of the generally cylindrical shape.

Abstract: A one-piece hanger is formed with a pair of spaced segments or legs joined by an end wall. Each segment has a recess formed in an edge which is open towards the recess on an edge of the opposite segment. The two recesses are aligned so as to create a substantially full opening to receive a pipe. The hanger may be positioned on a pipe with the segments extending substantially parallel to the pipe axis, and the hanger can then be rotated about 90° so that the pipe extends through the substantially full opening formed by the recesses. The hanger end is formed with mounting holes.

Abstract: A method is provided for marking items by orienting the items so that ink may be printed on the desired area of the items. The items are fed to a printing station and ink of a first color is printed on the items and then dried. The ink is then cured by providing heat to the ink. Also provided is an apparatus for marking differently-shaped items comprising a printing station having an ink printer and a dryer. The apparatus also has a curing tunnel for curing the ink onto the items.

Abstract: An apparatus providing low volume irrigation from a previously installed sprinkler irrigation system including one or more sprinkler heads connected to a water supply conduit. The apparatus includes a manifold (50) having a water distribution passage (34) therein. The water distribution passage (34) includes an inlet end (35) and an outlet end (36) with the outlet end adapted to receive a conveyance channel (38) for distributing water to an emission point (42, 43). A flow control device (39) is associated with the water distribution passage (34) to control the flow rate of water through the passage to a rate exceeding a local hydraulic loading rate of the soil in the area around the emission point (42, 43). The manifold (50) is connected to receive water which is supplied to the sprinkler head through the water supply conduit.

Abstract: An irrigation conduit (10) includes a plurality of emitters (11) spaced apart along its length. A conveyance channel (12) is connected to each emitter (11) and is long enough so that a distal end (14) of the conveyance channel (12) may be positioned at or just above the soil surface with the conduit (10) buried below the soil surface. Each emitter (11) or each conveyance channel (12) includes associated with it a flow control arrangement (30) to control the rate of flow through the conveyance channel (12) when water is applied to the conduit (10) at a desired pressure and flow rate. The flow rate through each conveyance channel (12) exceeds the local hydraulic loading rate of the soil adjacent to the conveyance channel (12). The rate in excess of the local hydraulic loading rate causes localized flooding and allows the water to spread out substantially across the soil surface prior to moving downwardly into the soil.

Abstract: An irrigation spray head includes a plurality of orifices each for directing irrigation water in a substantially continuous stream to an impact location within an area around the spray head to be irrigated. Each orifice has associated with it a mechanism for adjusting the flow area and thereby adjusting the flow rate through the orifice and the distance between the spray head and the impact location associated with the respective orifice. Each substantially continuous discrete stream emitted through one of the orifices is at a flow rate higher than the local hydraulic loading rate associated with the soil in the respective impact location. Thus, each stream of water from the spray head produces localized runoff and a wide wetting pattern around each impact location. The flow rate for each stream is chosen so that the wetting pattern associated with each impact location combines with the other wetting patterns to substantially cover the entire area to be irrigated.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a ball valve with a shear stem which can be utilized in combination with a conventional ball valve or vented ball valve.The ball valve with a shear stem is utilized with a conventional ball valve or a vented valve assembly including a valve body having a vent hole therein. The ball valve defines a body having first and second flow-through ends with a valve member receiving chamber thereinbetween, and a collar defining a stem receiving passage communicating with the chamber. A valve member such as a ball or cylindrical plug is disposed within the chamber. The valve member has a throughbore therein in operable alignment with the first end second flow-through ends. The vented ball valve embodiment has at least one valve member vent hole through the wall of the valve member in flow communication with the throughbore.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a basement sewer backflow control valve with adapter. A valve such as a ball valve is positioned a sewer line under the floor of a basement with an adapter extending vertically through the basement floor providing a means for opening and closing the valve as needed to ensure flood waters do not backflow into the basement during flooding. The valve and adapter may also be utilized in combination with an in-line check valve. The adapter provides a flush surface with the basement floor.

Abstract: The apparatus includes a housing (10) defining a housing cavity (18) and at least one connector (15) for connecting the housing to an irrigation conduit (26) so that the housing cavity (18) is exposed to irrigation water flowing through the irrigation conduit (26). A first electrode (13) is positioned within the housing cavity (18) and is made from a growth inhibiting metal. A second electrode (14) is electrically isolated from the first electrode (13) and includes a surface exposed within the housing cavity (18) in a spaced apart relationship with respect to the first electrode (13). A voltage source (30) is connected to the first electrode (13) and to the second electrode (14) for applying an electric potential across the first and second electrodes.

Abstract: An irrigation apparatus (10) includes a conduit housing (14) with at least one elongated, flexible irrigation conduit (12) received in a retracted position therein. A water supply arrangement associated with the conduit housing (14) allows water to be supplied through the housing to a proximal end (20) of each irrigation conduit (12). Also, a conduit deployment arrangement associated with the conduit housing (14) allows the irrigation conduits (12) to extend from the housing to an extended position in response to water supplied to the housing through the water supply arrangement. In the extended position, each irrigation conduit (12) extends over an area to be irrigated, and emitters along the length of each conduit emit water to efficiently irrigate the area under and immediately surrounding the extended conduit. A conduit retracting arrangement (32) retracts the irrigation conduits (12) back to the retracted position once the water pressure is withdrawn from the device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a basement sewer backflow control valve with adapter. A valve such as a ball valve is positioned a sewer line under the floor of a basement with an adapter extending vertically through the basement floor providing a means for opening and closing the valve as needed to ensure flood waters do not backflow into the basement during flooding. The valve and adapter may also be utilized in combination with an in-line check valve. The adapter provides a flush surface with the basement floor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vented ball valve and lockout ring assembly.A vented valve assembly including a valve body having a vent hole therein, and first and second flow-through ends with a valve member receiving chamber thereinbetween, and a stem receiving passage communicating with the chamber. A valve member is disposed within the chamber. The valve member has a throughbore therein in operable alignment with the first end second flow-through ends and at least one valve member vent hole through the wall of the valve member in flow communication with the throughbore. A stem extends through and is rotatably mounted within the stem receiving passage and engageable with the valve member for rotating the valve member in and out of flow-through alignment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vented ball valve and lockout ring assembly.A vented valve assembly including a valve body having a vent hole therein, and first and second flow-through ends with a valve member receiving chamber thereinbetween, and a stem receiving passage communicating with the chamber. A valve member is disposed within the chamber. The valve member has a throughbore therein in operable alignment with the first and second flow-through ends and at least one valve member vent hole through the wall of the valve member in flow communication with the throughbore. A stem extends through and is rotatably mounted within the stem receiving passage and engageable with the valve member for rotating the valve member in and out of flow-through alignment.